Berlin Hbf Station Guide
Berlin Hbf is the main railway station of the German capital of Berlin. This guide shows what the station looks like and the facilities you can expect.
Brief history of Berlin Hbf
Berlin Hbf is the central railway station of Berlin, with Hbf – an abbreviation of the German word Hauptbahnhof – simply meaning ‘main station’.
Before Berlin Hbf opened in 2006, the city never really had a central railway station.
Berlin used to have multiple terminus stations, each serving different railway lines heading in various geographic directions, similar to the current setup in London or Paris.
Among the famous railway termini of Berlin were stations such as Anhalter Bahnhof, Görlitzer Bahnhof, Hamburger Bahnhof, and Potsdamer Bahnhof, although most were severely damaged during the Second World War or destroyed shortly after.
Much of this was due to the division of Berlin into a western sector administered by the British, French, and Americans, and an eastern sector administered by the Soviet Union.
When the divide became permanent with the construction of the Berlin Wall, it completely changed the city’s infrastructure, rendering much of the old stations and lines obsolete.
During the Cold War, Berlin Zoologischer Garten (Berlin Zoo) became the main station of West Berlin, while Berlin Ostbahnhof held this distinction in the east.
After the fall of the Wall and the reunification of Germany, city planners decided to build a new main railway station, Berlin Hbf, on the site of the former Lehrter Bahnhof.

A train arrives at Berlin Hauptbahnhof. ©AndyBTravels
Berlin Hbf location
Berlin Hbf is within walking distance of some of the main city sights such as the Bundestag, the Federal German Parliament, and the Brandenburg Gate.
Of course, the station has excellent public transport connections, including the S-Bahn (suburban train), U-Bahn (metro), as well as several tram and bus lines.
Whether you arrive by train and need to head into the city, or need to travel in the opposite direction from your city centre hotel to the station in order catch an onward train, Berlin Hbf is easily accessible.

The Brandenburger Tor – the Brandenburg Gate – is within easy walking distance of Berlin Hauptbahnhof. ©AndyBTravels
A look around Berlin Hbf
Berlin Hbf is a massive station, and its glass-and-steel façade is certainly impressive.
Almost all long-distance train services use Berlin Hbf, though many also stop at other stations in the city, such as Ostbahnhof.
Upon entering the bright and airy main hall beneath the large glass roof, you’ll immediately notice the prominent departure boards, along with a wide range of ticket offices, machines, shops, food outlets, and other facilities.
If you’re feeling peckish before your departure or need to stock up on food and drinks for your journey, you’ll find plenty of fast-food outlets, takeaways, supermarkets, and other stores at the station.

Main station entrance. ©AndyBTravels
Station layout
Finding the platforms at Berlin Hbf can be tricky if you’re unfamiliar with the station layout.
Berlin Hbf has a unique layout with railway lines crossing each other on two levels.
The north-south railway lines (platforms 1 to 8) are located two floors below ground at the basement level, while the west-east railway lines (platforms 11 to 16) are situated two floors above ground.
On the ground floor, as well as the first basement level (-1) and first floor (+1), you won’t find any platforms, just more stores and station facilities.
Of course, the station is fully accessible, with lifts, escalators, and stairs linking every level.

A Polish EuroCity train from Warsaw has just arrived at one of the upper platforms of Berlin Hbf. ©AndyBTravels
Which platform
Although you should always double-check from which platform your train departs upon your arrival at the station, the following platform numbers usually apply at Berlin Hbf:
Trains from Berlin to Poland typically depart from the eastbound platforms (11 and 12), while westbound trains, such as those to the Netherlands, usually depart from platforms 13 and 14.
The other two platforms on the upper level of the station (15 and 16) are used for local S-Bahn trains only.
The platforms for the north-south railway lines in the basement (1 to 8) serve destinations to the north, such as Hamburg, and to the south, like Leipzig, Dresden, Nuremberg, Munich, Prague, and Vienna.
Note that trains to destinations in western Germany, such as Frankfurt, Cologne, and Düsseldorf, can depart from either the upper level platforms (13 or 14) or basement level (1 to 8)
Video guide
If you’re curious about what Berlin Hbf looks like and want to join me on a walkthrough of its facilities and platforms, watch the Berlin Hbf video guide below.
Don’t forget to also read my other articles in the En Route Blog for other interesting railway guides and travel stories.
Conclusion
Berlin Hbf, the main railway station in the German capital, is a modern hub with railway lines crossing each other on two levels.
If you’re new to the station, it might take some time to find your way due to its unusual layout, with platforms 1 to 8 in the basement and platforms 11 to 16 on the upper level.
While the station’s massive scale and modern design may either appeal to you or feel overwhelming, there’s no denying that it offers all the necessary facilities and has significantly improved Berlin’s railway infrastructure.